Senate candidates present multipoint care plans

By BRIAN BAKST , Associated Press

Last update: September 12, 2008 - 3:29 PM

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Friday brought a competition of multipoint plans in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race, but no clear accounting of how to pay for them.

First, Republican Sen. Norm Coleman presented his 10-point proposal for modifying the country's health care system — one that emphasizes preventative treatment, value-based payments and federal technology standards meant to cut out bureaucratic paperwork.

"I believe we can get there. The divides are not as great as they were years ago," Coleman said of his proposals, many of which have been considered for years without success. "There is no question health care is too expensive. The system needs to be fixed."

That was soon followed by Democratic challenger Al Franken's five-point agenda on Social Security and long-term care — one that would expand options for senior care, fill staff shortages in care facilities and offset expenses for people who take in an ailing relative.

"I'll be a senator Minnesota seniors can count on," he said.

Both men promise tax breaks as part of their proposals.

Coleman said he would allow people to deduct the cost of privately purchased insurance or give them tax credits to help them afford coverage if their employer doesn't offer it. Franken's idea is to give $2,000 credits to people who care for an aging relative or someone else in their family needing substantial long-term medical attention.

Neither candidate offered a full accounting of the government costs to enact their plans. Both insisted some of their desired changes would reap savings because more accessible health coverage would head off care that grows more expensive as manageable conditions go untreated.

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On the Net:

Norm Coleman: http://www.colemanforsenate.com

Al Franken: http://www.alfranken.com

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